She survived darkness and despair as a teen. Now, creative writing, running marathons to raise awareness and studying for her Bachelor of Arts degree are all part of Massey student Whaiora Patrick's vision to help vulnerable youth overcome mental health and poverty-related issues.

Hurtling 150 years - via a virtual reality experience - into an imagined future Wellington where climate change and quakes have blitzed the city is one of the creative ways Massey University is making a mark at upcoming Festival for the Future.

As the first cohort of Massey University's highly-successful Pūhoro STEM Academy look forward to entering the tertiary sector from the end of the year, programme director Naomi Manu, Rangitane ki Wairarapa/Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, is one step ahead of them.